The Presidents Cup offers a rare glimpse into the world of match play “teammate” golf, in which
tour players who are more accustomed to playing solo must instead pair with a partner in formats
known as four-ball and foursomes.

What is four-ball?

Two teams of two players compete directly, with each golfer playing his ball tee to green the
entire match. The low individual score on each hole counts as the team score. Example: if Golfer A
cards a 3 and his teammate a 4, the team’s score is 3. Each hole is won by the team whose member
has the lowest score on that hole.

If the teams tie for a hole, the point is split between them. The match ends when a team tallies
a majority of points/holes. Example: A final 4-and-3 win means Team A led by four points/holes with
only three left to play.

A match is “halved” — half a point each — when the two teams remain tied after 18 holes.

Quotable: “What pairings work? It could be similar style of play or similar personalities. It
could opposite ends of the personalities. Maybe you want one guy that’s a bomber and another guy
who is consistent and in the fairway. But you really don’t know what will work or what’s not going
to work until you’re out there.” — U.S. team member Jason Dufner

What is foursomes?

Also known as “alternate shot.” As with four-ball, a team of two players competes directly
against another two-player team, but instead of each golfer playing his ball from tee to green,
teammates use one ball and take turns hitting shots until the hole is completed. Low team score
wins. Golfers also alternate on tee shots, with one teeing off on even holes and the other on odd
holes.

Quotable: “Foursomes is a great game if you’re playing well and get off to a good start. It’s
the worst game in the world if you don’t get momentum and aren’t playing well. You end up
apologizing to your partner a lot.” — Lee Westwood, European veteran of Ryder Cup play.